Concrete form system

Abstract

This invention is directed to a system for pouring concrete and thereby forming concrete floors, sidewalks and the like, wherein the forms used to retain the concrete in place remain as part of the permanent installation. The system is constructed basically of longitudinal rails, stakes and clips which fit snugly and securely together to form concrete retaining forms.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A permanent, in-place, concrete retaining form comprising in combination: (a) a longitudinal rail having along the length thereof, vertically disposed above one another, at least two alternating grooves and ridges, and at the top region thereof a top ridge which at the bottom edge thereof extends outwardly and downwardly to a location below the elevation where the top ridge meets the body of the rail, and at the top edge thereof terminates in a downwardly extending lip;   (b) a stake in the shape of a U-shaped channel, the top portion of the stake fitting under the top lip of the rail, the lower portion of the stake having therein a hook means for securing the bottom region of the rail to the stake; and,   (c) a clip which is formed to fit snugly over the end of the rail.   
     
     
       2. A rail means according to claim 1 wherein a corner holder means shaped to fit snugly over the grooves and ridges at the end of a rail is fitted onto the end of the rail. 
     
     
       3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the rail means has two ridges therein, each having a downwardly extending overhang at the bottom edge of the ridge. 
     
     
       4. A form according to claim 1 where the rail means has three ridges therein, each having a downwardly extending overhang at the bottom edge of the ridge. 
     
     
       5. A form according to claim 3, wherein one of the ridges extends farther from the body of the rail means than the other ridge. 
     
     
       6. A form according to claim 1 wherein the rail means has a base portion which runs the length of the rail means parallel to the grooves and ridges, and extends downwardly from the point where the bottom ridge meets the body of the rail. 
     
     
       7. A form according to claim 2 wherein the corner holder has extending downwardly from the holder tabs which can be bent about the base of the rail to enhance the gripping action of the holder on the rail. 
     
     
       8. A form according to claim 1 wherein the clip fits about the bottom edge of the top region and about the bottom edge of the rail means. 
     
     
       9. A form according to claim 1 wherein the top region of the rail means extends outwardly from the rail means a distance which is farther than the extending distance of the ridge of the rails means. 
     
     
       10. A form according to claim 1 wherein the stake has a hook means which prevents the rail means from moving upwardly when the rail is staked to a stationary object.